Capping machine



March 7, 1933. R L DRAKE 1,900,637

CAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 13, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet l FIGJ.

mmh 1933.' R, L DRM@ @900,631

CAPP ING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. l5, 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 lMaurch7, 193.3.K R L BRAKE 1,900,637

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CAPPING MACHINE original Filed Aug. 13 1924 9 sheets-sheet 4 @lm m..

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CAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. l5. 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fles. N Iw) 'l "WHW, lui* e Try/5, 1min y ZZ] t I .zum G 1 uw mi I lyy` "maar"March 7, 1933. R DRAKE 1,900,637

CAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 1?., 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 vMarch 7,1933. R. L. DRAKE CAPPING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 13, 1924 9Sheets-Sheet` 7 A zs/ 2/9 WWIIH n entoz March 7, 1933. R. L. BRAKE1,900,637

CPPINGIMACEINE Original Filed Aug. 13. 1924 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 March 7,1933. R. L. BRAKE GAPPING MACHINE original Filed Aug. 1:5, 1924 9sheets-smet 9 544 6%@ f6 @3512* @1i/tom Patented Mar. 7, 1933 'UNITEDSTATES PTT' owing; 'A

ROLL'IN I.. BRAKE, or PORT ARTHUR, rEXAsgAssIGNoR To THE TEXAScoivrPANY, OF

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATEON OF DELAWARE cArPrNG MACHINE originalapplication mea August 13, 1924, serial No. 731,730. Now ratent No.1,523,889. Divided and` this application led Apl 30, 1929. Serial No.359,196. v

The invention relates to devices for applying caps, or other sealingmeans, to containers, and more particularly to cans, which have beenlled with some iuid material through an opening in the top.

This is a division of my pending application Ser. No. 731,73() filedAugust 13, 1924. In the parent case there is disclosed a completemachine for automatically weighlng out definite quantities of fluidmaterial, such as kerosene or gasoline, introducing the measuredquantities of such material into suitable containers, andv then sealingor applying a cap tothe opening in the containers.V

The construction is such that a large number of receptacles may beoperated upon at one time and it is such, furthermore, that both thefilling and capping functions may be carried out simultaneously withrespect to two different groups of containers. For this purpose a rotarymember or endless conveyor is adapted to receive empty containers fromone point and carry them through a complete cycle to another point, atwhich they are discharged from the machine. During the course of theirtransit, these containers are rst iilledl and then capped. Themeasurement of the quantity of fluid to be discharged into eachcontainer takes place during the capping Lportion of the cycle of themachine, so that these measured quantities are available forintroduction into new containers during the next cycle. By virtue ofthis arrangement a large number of cans maybe first filled and thencapped in cyclic succession, a number undergoing each of theseoperations simultaneously.

One of the features of the machine is the construction which permits atleast one of the capping tools or elements to be in operation at alltimes thereby speeding up the operation and increasing the output orcapacity of a single machine. y

A particular feature of the invention is the mounting of a plurality ofcapping tools on a rotary element or endless conveyor so that thecapping operation may be continuously performed upon a series ofcontainers as they are transferred from one point to another.

Another feature is the provision ofa capping tool which is slidableor-may beshifted into co-operation with a container ony a support andthen rendered efiective to seal the container or crimp a cap placed overthe opening in the latter. Y

Still another feature is the method of mounting certain crimpingdevices, such` as rollers, which are adapted to engage the edges of thecaps to be crimped. These rollrotated continuously in such away as topermit the sliding of the vtool inthe manner previously indicated.v f

Other features and advantages of the in- Vention will become apparentfrom the following detailed description of any illustrativemachineembodying the invention. While the improvements have been lshown as ap.-,Y plied to a specific type of Amachine, involving both the dispensingand capping functions, it is to be understood that the various featuresare of broader application and maybe used with only slight modificationsin vari-f ous other relations. in the drawings, which disclose theVillustrative machine,

Figure l is a view in sectional elevation, partially cut away, of acapping machine embodying the features of the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view with certain yparts omitted, other parts cutaway, and parts shown in sectionsl taken along planes at differentelevations. y

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 3-`3 of Figure 1. Itshows par-.,

tic'ularly the relation of certain cams which are operative at dierenttimes during the cycle of operation.

Figure .tis a side elevation of one of the capping units.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of such a unit.

Figure 6 is a plan view of a capping unit.

Figure 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of Figure 4. Figure 8 is anenlarged view in side elevation, partly in section, showing the spindleand head of the capping unit.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 10 is a bottom view of these parts.

Figure 11 is a section taken along line 11-11 of Figure 8.

Figure 12 is a vertical section taken along the line 12-12 of Figure 8.`

Figure 13 is a section in detail taken along the line 13-13 of Figure11.

Figure 14 is an enlarged Section showing the capping rollers inoperation.

Figure 15 is a detail view in section, on an enlarged scale,illustrating the capping rollers in operation.

Main machine By reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be seenthat in the Aparticular embodiment of theA invention thus illustratedthe apparatus includes a hollow base or supporting element 50 throughwhich extends a shaft 51 provided with a hub 52 carrying a plurality ofradial arms 53. As illustrated, the shaft 51 may be formed with a flangeof collar 54 by which the hub is secured thereto, as by means ofset-screws 55. The shaft 51 works within an upper bushing 56, lowerbushing 57 and an intervening sleeve 58. The pedestal 50 mayconveniently be formed with a holloWed-out portion 59 to form alubricant housing vor reservoir for the main bearings of the shaft 51located therein. The main bearing is shown as consisting of ballbearings60 and ball-races 61. An alignment plate 62, supported by the kclosureplate 63, serves to hold the bearings lin proper position. The shaft 51is hollow. to accommodate a supply pipe 64 which serves to admit to theapparatus the fluid to be dispensed. The plate 63 is formed with acentral opening through which the supply pipe 64 passes; a guide plate65 may be provided to form a closure about the supply pipe. A lubricantoverflow pipe 66 may be provided.

Power for operating the apparatus may be supplied by a shaft 67 suitablymounted in bearings 68 and operated by any convenient means. The shaft67 carries a bevel pinion 69 which meshes with a bevel gear 70 mountedon shaft 71 suitably supported in a bearing block 72. The shaft 71carries a pinion 73 in mesh with a ring gear 7 4 which is secured to theseveral arms 53. It is apparent that when the shafts 67 and 71 arerotated, the apparatus embracing the several filling and capping unitsis rotated upon the shaft 51 as an axis. j

The shaft 67 may also be geared to an intermediate shaft 75, as by meansof bevel pinions 76. The shaft 75 is shown Vmounted in lower bearing 77and upper bearing bracket 78 and carries a pinion 79 in mesh with a ringgear 80 which is shown as being rotatably mounted in a. combinationbearing comprising a radial bearing 81 secured by a retainer rin@ 82 anda thrust bearin 83 su b ported on an annular seat 84. The ring gear 8Ocarries a bevel ring gear 85 which meshes with a plurality of plni'ons86 mounted on shafts 87. The inner ends of the shafts 87 are shown asbeing supported on bearing brackets 88 attached to the hub 52. Theshafts 37 serve to operate the several capping units, asy is hereinaftermore fully explained.

Supporting tables Means are provided on the main rotary element orconveyor for supporting and holding the cans or containers which are tobe capped. For this purpose individual tables 175, each adapted tosupport a single container, are mounted at the upper ends of shafts 176carried lbyksuitable brackets secured to adjacent arms 53 or faces 53a,thereof. These tabl-es, as more fully explained in Vthe parentapplication, are rotatably mounted so that the'containers may be carriedfrom filling to capping positions and vice versa. r1`he upper surface ofeach table is inclined at a slight angle to the horizontal so that Jthecapping `Ioperation may be performed on an elevated corner or side ofthe container, thus minimizing the danger of spillingany of thecontents. Suitable gripping devices 181 are also provided on each of thetables for the purpose of holding the containers securely during theoperation of certain devices including the .capping units. Since thedetails'v` of the supporting and holding means form rno part of theinvention covered in this case, they need not be further describedherein but'reference may be had to the parent application for a fulldisclosure.

Discharge mechanism Suitable devices are provided for ejecting llO thecontainers from the machine after the` the container from the relatedtable as the latter passes a suitable platform or conveyor 260. Inasmuchas the details of the ejector mechanism form no part of the inventionVcovered in this case, they will not be described further herein butreference may be had to the parent application for these details.

i Capping tools The specific type of ca ping'tool described herein isillustratedin gures 4-15 inclusive. The capping mechanism thus shown isadapted to be moved to and from the operating position at predeterminedpoints in the cycle of operation of the machine and is shown as beingsupported on a bracket 2144 slidably mounted on a air of adjacent arms53 or faces 53a thereof (p controlled means is shown for actuating thel5 bracket. Thus the bracket is supported on a push rod 215 carried on astudl 216 and roller 217 which travels on a cam 218. It is preferable toform the roller 217 with a periphery which constitutes a surface of acone whos-e center is the center of the machine or the center of shaft51, the cam track having a corresponding co-operating surface. Such aconstruction reduces to a minimum the friction on the rollers in passingover the circular cam. By reference to Figure 3 it will be seen that thecam 218 includes in- 'clined surfaces at 218@ and 2185 between the upperlevel 2180 and lower level 2186Z. l/Vhile ordinarily gravity may berelied on for causing the capping mechanism to be lowered in theoperation, an additional cam 218m may be provided (see Figure 4) topositively7 move the capping unit into operating position.

The capping tool includes a shaft 219, shown as being journaled inbushings 220 and 221 supported on the bracket 214, and a block portion222 illustrated as being integral with the shaft. As hereinbeforepointed out, the several shafts 87 supply power to the several cappingunits. Each shaft 87 is geared to a shaft 223 by bevel pinions 224, theshaft 223 and outer end of shaft 87 being suit-- ably journaled on abracket 225 fixed to a pair of adjacent arms 53 or faces 53a thereof.Slidably mounted on the shaft 223 is a sleeve gear 226, the sleevehaving a key 227 adapted to tra-vel in a slot 223 formed in shaft 223.Power is transferred from the sleeve gear 226 on shaft 223 to the cappershaft 219, as by means of an intermediate gear 229, mounted on stud 230supported on bracket 214, and a sleeve gear 231 pinned to the cappershaft.

A pair of side plates 232 is secured to the block 222, as bymeans ofbolts 233. Slidably mounted on shoulders Von the side plates is acarriage 234 which vcarries a pin 235 supporting a roller 236 formedwith a bevelled portion 236m Slidably supported on the 50 block 222, orpreferably in an opening within the carriage 234, is an inner carriage237 which carries a stud 238 upon which is mounted a roller 239 formedwith a bead 2.39ct. The rollers 236A and 239 constitute the 55 capperrollers of the mechanism and areV ar- Figs. 6 and 7). Gam# ranged atsuch angles and in such relationshipto each other as is desired, havingin mind the particular crimping or capping operation it is intended toperform.

Resilient means is provided to exert pressure on the slidable carriages234 and 237 vin such a manner as to `tend to move the carriages, andconsequently the capper rollers, apart. This resilient means consists ofa. pair of springs 240 secured in recesses in the carriages. Mechanism,preferably cam-controlled, is provided for moving the carriages againstthe tension of springs 240 so as to bring the capper rollers intoposition for the capping operation. Thus, the outer carriage is equippedwith a pin241 carrying a roller 242 and the inner carriage is providedwith-a pin 243 carrying a roller 244. A cam bar 245 is adapted toengagebetween the `rollers 242 and 244 so as to move the capping rollers236 and239 toward each other. The cam bar is secured to a clutch member246 which is slidably mounted on 'the shaft 219.r A lever 24'7fulcruined on a pin 248 has a yoked end withwhich to engage the clutch246, each end of the yoke preferably being equipped with a stud 249carrying a roller 250 adapted to travel in a. peripheral groove in theclutch member 246. A cam lever 251 is also pivoted on the pin 248 and issuitably connected lto the lever 247, as by resilient connecting means252. VThe cam lever carries a roller 253 adapted to engage cams 254 and2540. The position of the cams with respect to the cycle of operation ofthe machine is clearly shown in Figure 3. When the roller engages withthe cam 254, the lever 251 is moved to the left (as viewed in Figure 4)thereby lowering the yoked end of lever 247. The clutch member 246 isthereby actuated to move the cam point 245 between the rollers 242 and244 and bring the capper rollers 236 and 239 into capping position. Whenthe roller 253 comes in contact with cam 2546i, the lever 251 is movedto t-he right (as viewed in Figure 4) thereby removing the cam ha r 245from engagement between the rollers 242 and 244. The capping tool may beprovided with a guard 259.

For illustrative purposes the capping tool is shown in Figures 14 and 15as being applied to a screw neck type of cap. Thus, the can A is shownwith a screw neck or thimble 255 seated in a cap or closure inember 256having a peripheral flange 257 or rim adapted to be spun over a Harige253 formed about an opening in the can A. Figure 15 shows the cappingrollers 236 and 239 in position at the beginning of the cappingoperatien and Figure 14 shows the capping mechanism at the completion ofthe operation with the rim 257 of the closure member 256 spun over theflange 258 and the member 256 bulged or expanded againstfthe radius of,

vandv under, the flange 258s@v as toform a seal. It is to be understoodthat in the pracy Operation In order that the cooperation of the variousportions of the machine described in the foregoing sections may be morereadily understood, a brief summary of the operation of the machine willnow be given.

The main rotating frame of the machine ca ried by the shaft 51, hub 52,and the radial arms 53, will be continuously rotated in a counterclock-wise direction, as viewed in Figures 2 and 3, by the connectionsfrom the driving shaft 67 to the pinion 73 and the in# ternal ring gear74. rlhis rotating frame carries with it through each cycle theplurality of container supports 175, as well as the series of cappingunits, one of which is associated with each of these supports. is asupport or table 175 moves past the point indicated X in Figures 2 and3, an operator will place a container on the table in the Yposition inwhich it may be gripped by the holding devices 181. If desired,automatic means might be provided for feeding the containerssuccessively onto the tables as they pass the point X.

During slightly more than the first half cycle of rotation of the rotaryelement, the container on a particular table will be filled with ameasured quantity of fluid material y by means of the mechanism whichforms no part of the invention cor ered in this case but which is fullydisclosed in the parent application. After the filling operation hasbeen completed, the container is brought to the position where the dropin the cam 218, designated at 218@ of Figure 3, will cause the cappingtool to descend. For this purpose the entire supporting frame 214 willbe slid downwardly along the guide surfaces 53a of the radial arms ofthe main rotating structure. T his downward movement of the capping toolwill serve to carry the capping rollers 236 and 239 into the positionindicated in Figure 15.

The entire capping tool or unit indicated in Figures 8 and 9 will beconstantly rotated by means of the supporting spindle 219 during theentire cycle of operation of the machine. This is brought about throughthe driving connections from the shaft 228 having lreyed thereto thesleeve gear 226. This shaft in turn is driven by the shaft 87 which`carries a pinion 86 co-operating with the bevel ring gear 85. It willbe clear that even if the ring gear 85 were held stationary, the

movement of the capping unit, including` the bodily7 movement of the.pinion 86 over this gear, would tend to rotate the shalt 8l.

However since it is desired to im art a somewhat greater speed ofrotation to the capping part-s, the ring gear 85 is drivenin the tool islowered intoco-operation with the cap, as shown in Figure 15, due to thedrop at 218a in the annular cam member, the capping rollers 236 and 289are ready to be forced together to grip the edge of the cap and performthe crimping operation. For this purpose the roller 253 comes in contactwith the cam member 254 and causes the clutch member 246, with its cambar 245, to be lowered. The cam formation at the lower end of the Vbar245 serves to separate the rollers 242 and 244, thereby bringing thecrimping rollers 236 and 239l together. After the crimping operation hasbeen completed, the roller 253 encounters the cam 25401l and bringsabout the release of the crimping rollers. Immediately thereafter, thecapping tool is lifted by the co-operation of the roller 217 with therise 218?) in the circular cam 218. Now, by the co-operation of theroller 212 on the push rod 206 With the raceway of the cam 213, theejector hand 207 is operated to discharge the capped container from themachine and onto the platform or conveyor 260. The table 175 is thenready to receive a new container at the point X.

It will be understood that each of the plurality of units, including thetable 175 and the related capping tool, will follow through the cycle ofoperation indicated and that considered as a group, these units willenter upon the different phases of the cycle in successive order.

llVhile the invention has been decribed in detail as applied to aspecific form of machine it is to be understood that many variations inconstruction and arrangement may be made withoutV departing from thegeneral spirit of the invention. It is not desired to be limited in itsinterpretation other than by the scope of the claims which follow:

What I claim'is:

1. In a can sealing apparatus, a rotary element, a slidable elementcarried by said rotary element, co-acting capping rollers mounted on theslidable element and comprising opposed rollers, a cam for actuatingsaid slidable element so as to move the capping element to and fromoperating position, means adapted to move the capping rollers towardeach other and a cam for actuating said means. f

2. In a can sealing machine, a rotary element, a slidable lnembercarried by said rotary element, co-acting capping rollers mounted on theslidable member, and a circular cam track for actuating the slidablemember so as to raise and lower'same at predetermined points in thecycle of the rotary element.

3. In a can sealing machine, a rotary element, a movable member carriedby said rotary element, a capping element mounted on the movable memberand comprising coacting rollers, means for actuating the movable memberat predetermined points in the cycle of the rotary element, and meansfor moving said rollers into operative position at a predeterminedpoint.

4. In `a machine of the class described a rotary element, a capping toolslidably carried by said element, said tool including coacting cappingelements, means for sliding said tool bodily into effective position ata predetermined point in the cycle of said rotary element and means foroperating said tool to apply a cap to a container'.

5. In a machine of the class described an endless conveyor adapted tosupport a container to be sealed, a capping tool slidably mounted onsaid conveyor, means for bodily sliding said tool into eliectiverelation with the container when it reaches a predetermined positionupon thermovement of said conveyor, and means for operating said tool toseal the container.

6. In a machine of the class described an endless conveyor adapted tosupport a container, a rotatable capping tool, slidably mounted on saidconveyor, means for continuously rotating said tool and means forsliding the tool into eiective position at a predetermined point in itsmovement with the conveyor.

7. In a capping device a bodily shiftable block, means for rotating saidblock, a pair of co-acting crimping wheels carried by said block, saidwheels being movable toward and away from each other, cam means for.moving said wheels toward each other, and means for shifting said blocktoy carry the wheels into effective relation to a cap.

8. In a capping device a ro-tatable block, a pair of co-acting crimpingrollers, each independently movable on said block, resilient means fornormally urging said rollers apart and cam means for forcing saidrollers together.

9. In a capping device a rotatable block, a pair of co-acting crimpingrollers carried by said block and adapted to engage op-posite sides ofthe edge of a cap to be crimped, one of said rollers being movablymounted on said block, means for normally holding said rollersseparated, and means for forcing said rollers together to grip betweenthem the edge of a cap to be crimped. Y

10. In a capping device arotatable spindle, a pair of co-operatingcrimping rollers carried thereby, said rollers being relatively movabletoward and away from each other and adapted, when moved toward oneanother, to grip between them the edge of cap to ,powershafuaspindleadapted to be continube crimped, and means for shifting one ofsaid .rollers towardand away from `the other.

v ried thereby, said'rollersbeing relatively movfable toward 'andfawayfrom each other.` and adapted, when moved'toward `one another, to gripbetween them the edgel of cap to be crimped, a bevelled -edge formedononev of said rollers, a bead formed Aaround dthe'periphery of .theother-ofisaid rollers, and cam controlled means for lshifting one ofvsaid rollers tovvardgand .away from the other.v

l2. In a machine. of the class described a ously rotated thereby, ,'a,vslidable frame adapted .to support ,said` spindle, a pair ofcrimping'rollers carried by said spindle, one of said rollers beingmovable toward and away from the other, means for supporting-1 acontainer to be capped, means operated by said shaft for sliding theframe to carry the rollers into co-operative relation with a container,and means operated by said shaft for to grip the edge of a cap to becrimped.V

13. VIn a machine of the class described a moving said movable rollertoward the other .190

driving shaft, a spindle adapted to be rotated thereby, said spindlebeing longitudinally movable, crimping devices carriedA byv saidspindle, said devices being relatively movable to grip the edge of a capto be crimped, means for supporting a container to be capped, means formoving said spindle longitudinally to carry said devices intocooperative relation with the container, and means for moving saiddevices to'grip the edge of the cap. 14. In a capping device a rotatablespindle, relatively movable crimping devices carried by said spindle andadapted to engage opposite sides of the edge of a cap to be crimped, oneof said devices comprising a roller having a bevelled edge, and meansfor devices to cause them to grip the opposite means for rotatingvsaidblocks including driving rack moving in the oppositedirection from themovement of said conveyor, and camming means adapted `to shift saidblocks to render said tools successively eliec- 1 tive as said conveyoris moved.

16; In a machine of the class described a i continuously rotatingmember.. adapted to support containers to be capped, a plurality ofcapping tools slidably carried by said member, means for operating saidcapping producing relative movement between said .-1110 tools uponthe'rotation of said member, and means for successively sliding saidtools into effective position to cap said containers as they reach apredetermined point. 17 .Y In a machine of the c1assdescribed,'a1 pairof (zo-acting rollers adapted to grip the- -opposite sides of the edgeof the cap to loe crimped, means for rotating said rollers,. means Vforforcing said rollers toward one another to grip the opposite sides ofthe edge to be crimped, and means `for moving the rotating rollerstogether around the edge of the cap While gripping the edge between themto form a seam.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this th day of April,1929.

ROLLIN L. DRAKE.

f" i Nlo eERrlrleATE or eoRREeTloN.

Parent No. www. 'March 7, 1933.

RoLLIN L. BRAKE,

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification othe ahove member-ed paient requiring correction as follows: Page 4, lineIl?, claim l, for "eo-acting" read "a", and for "rollers" read"e1ement"; and that the said Letters aent should be read with thesecorrections therein that the same may eoniorm io the record oi the caseiai ehe Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 16th day of May, A. D. 1933.

M, J. Moore. (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

